Venables has made it clear that he wants to keep Ferdinand and Bowyer, but he issued a strong warning on the club's website.

In a thinly-veiled warning to Bowyer, Venables said: "Footballers should not drink to excess and now he's in the last-chance saloon.

"If partying, drinking and dancing is your thing then play your football over the park,"

"Those seeking their fortune at the top levels have to be dedicated to diet and fitness.

"Footballers are the new rock stars and should not lay themselves open to criticism or abuse by going out to places which attract attention.

"If there are certain places they cannot go, then clubs should inflict harsh penalties for ignoring it.

"You give up your rights to fall about in the street when you become a pro. You cannot let your guard drop in public."

Venables said the incident probably cost Bowyer a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad:

He said: "While I have sympathy for the young lad who was attacked, I have to stick by the law of this land.

"Bowyer was found not guilty in a court of law and therefore has the right to be chosen if that is Eriksson's wish.

"Leeds continue to excite. Their youngsters have talent and play without fear.

"Rio Ferdinand has matured into an England regular and I suspect Alan Smith will figure more and more in Eriksson's plans.

"This is a team destined for greatness and maybe this season we will witness the O'Leary Babes come of age."

Venables has just five weeks before Leeds open their campaign against Premiership new boys Manchester City.

In that time he will have to shape his squad within strict financial limits caused by Leeds' overspending in the last couple of seasons.

Leeds fans were given more hope that Ferdinand will stay when chairman Peter Ridsdale admitted the England star's agent was "extremely complimentary" about the new manager.

Ridsdale met Ferdinand's agent Pini Zahavi for the first time since the World Cup on Monday.

The Leeds chairman said: "I don't think that Terry's appointment has tipped the balance because it was already in our favour.

"Rio is a Leeds United player who is not for sale.

"This was simply the first opportunity I have had to discuss Rio with his agent since the speculation began.

"I won't know Rio's views until I have spoken to him personally.

"But his agent was extremely complimentary about Terry Venables and also said he understood that Rio would be impressed."